MP Maurice Williamson's Speech for Marriage Equality

Niv M - Saturday, April 27, 2013

The MP for Pakuranga since 1987, Maurice Williamson, made this speech in parliament following its third and final reading for the bill to allow equal marriage, which passed by 77 votes to 44. It was hailed by Gawker as ”a speech for the ages”, and quickly went viral on social media and other sites.

“While he gave a very humorous speech, there’s a serious message in there and if that helps in terms of New Zealand getting a reputation for being a tolerant, progressive society then I think that’s good for New Zealand.”

New Zealand is the 13th country in the world to legalise equal marriage.

It is legal in the following countries: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay.